Microwave Ablation System With Dielectric Temperature Probe

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe, and methods of operating same, are disclosed. The system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, and a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor provides a tissue temperature and at least one tissue dielectric property to the controller. During an electromagnetic tissue ablation procedure, the controller monitors tissue temperature and the at least one tissue dielectric property to determine tissue status, and to activate and deactivate the generator in accordance therewith.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing energy to biological tissue and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for sensing thermal and dielectric parameters of tissue during a microwave ablation procedure.

2. Background of Related Art

There are several types of microwave antenna assemblies in use, e.g., monopole, dipole and helical, which may be used in tissue ablation applications. In monopole and dipole antenna assemblies, microwave energy generally radiates perpendicularly away from the axis of the conductor. Monopole antenna assemblies typically include a single, elongated conductor. A typical dipole antenna assembly includes two elongated conductors, which are linearly aligned and positioned end-to-end relative to one another with an electrical insulator placed therebetween. Helical antenna assemblies include a helically-shaped conductor connected to a ground plane. Helical antenna assemblies can operate in a number of modes including normal mode (broadside), in which the field radiated by the helix is maximum in a perpendicular plane to the helix axis, and axial mode (end fire), in which maximum radiation is along the helix axis. The tuning of a helical antenna assembly may be determined, at least in part, by the physical characteristics of the helical antenna element, e.g., the helix diameter, the pitch or distance between coils of the helix, and the position of the helix in relation to the probe assembly to which it is mounted.

The typical microwave antenna has a long, thin inner conductor that extends along the longitudinal axis of the probe and is surrounded by a dielectric material and is further surrounded by an outer conductor around the dielectric material such that the outer conductor also extends along the axis of the probe. In another variation of the probe that provides for effective outward radiation of energy or heating, a portion or portions of the outer conductor can be selectively removed. This type of construction is typically referred to as a “leaky waveguide” or “leaky coaxial” antenna. Another variation on the microwave probe involves having the tip formed in a uniform spiral pattern, such as a helix, to provide the necessary configuration for effective radiation. This variation can be used to direct energy in a particular direction, e.g., perpendicular to the axis, in a forward direction (i.e., towards the distal end of the antenna), or combinations thereof.

Invasive procedures and devices have been developed in which a microwave antenna probe may be either inserted directly into a point of treatment via a normal body orifice or percutaneously inserted. Such invasive procedures and devices potentially provide better temperature control of the tissue being treated. Because of the small difference between the temperature required for denaturing malignant cells and the temperature injurious to healthy cells, a known heating pattern and predictable temperature control is important so that heating is confined to the tissue to be treated. For instance, hyperthermia treatment at the threshold temperature of about 41.5° C. generally has little effect on most malignant growth of cells. However, at slightly elevated temperatures above the approximate range of 43° C. to 45° C., thermal damage to most types of normal cells is routinely observed. Accordingly, great care must be taken not to exceed these temperatures in healthy tissue.

In the case of tissue ablation, a high radio frequency electrical current in the range of about 500 MHz to about 10 GHz is applied to a targeted tissue site to create an ablation volume, which may have a particular size and shape. Ablation volume is correlated to antenna design, antenna tuning, antenna impedance and tissue impedance. Tissue impedance may change during an ablation procedure due to a number of factors, e.g., tissue denaturization or desiccation occurring from the absorption of microwave energy by tissue. Changes in tissue impedance may cause an impedance mismatch between the probe and tissue, which may affect delivery of microwave ablation energy to targeted tissue. The temperature and/or impedance of targeted tissue, and of non-targeted tissue and adjacent anatomical structures, may change at a varying rates which may be greater, or less than, expected rates. A surgeon may need to perform an ablation procedure in an incremental fashion in order to avoid exposing targeted tissue and/or adjacent tissue to excessive temperatures and/or denaturation. In certain circumstances, a surgeon may need to rely on experience and/or published ablation probe parameters to determine an appropriate ablation protocol (e.g., ablation time, ablation power level, and the like) for a particular patient.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to an electromagnetic surgical ablation system that includes a tissue sensor probe that is adapted to sense tissue temperature and/or tissue impedance at or near an ablation surgical site. The disclosed tissue sensor probe may include an absorbent coating or sleeve that is configured to control and/or absorb condensation that may form on a sensing probe shaft, which, if left unchecked, may impair the accuracy of the sensor. Also disclosed is a control module which may include a database configured to predict ablation characteristics over the duration of an ablation procedure. In embodiments, the database includes parameters related to any of dielectric properties, impedance properties, and thermal properties. A lookup table may be included which relates temperature-related parameters to dielectric-related parameters, e.g., relative permittivity (e′) and/or relative loss factor (e″) over an ablation frequency range of about 500 MHz to about 10 GHz. In an embodiment, the lookup table relates temperature-related parameters to relative permittivity (e′) and relative loss factor (e″) at an operating frequency of about 915 MHz and about 2.45 GHz.

Relative permittivity, sometimes referred to as the dielectric constant, is a measure of how an electric field affects, and is affected by, a dielectric medium. Relative permittivity relates to the ability of a material to polarize in response to the field to reduce the total electric field inside the material, and thus relates to a material's ability to transmit (or “permit”) an electric field. The force (F) between two electric charges (e) at a distance (d) apart in a vacuum is expressed as F=e2/d2. In any other medium, e.g., air or tissue, the force is expressed as F=e2/e′rd2 where e′ is the relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of the dielectric medium. Typical relative permittivity values include, e.g., 1.0 for air, 1.013 for steam; 80.36 for water at 20° C. Relative permittivity is temperature and frequency dependent.

Dielectric loss factor (e″), sometimes referred to as to conductivity, is related to relative permittivity. Loss factor e″ is a measure of the loss of energy in a dielectric material through, e.g., conduction, slow polarization currents, and other dissipative phenomena. The peak value for a dielectric with no direct-current conductivity occurs at the relaxation frequency, which is temperature related. The maximum value can be used as a measure of the dielectric properties of tissue.

The disclosed surgical ablation system may include a source of microwave ablation energy, such as generator, that is responsive to a control signal generated by the control module. The tissue sensor probe and generator function cooperatively to enable a surgeon to monitor temperature and/or impedance at, or adjacent to, an ablation surgical site.

In one aspect, the disclosed use of a dielectric sensor in combination with a temperature sensor provides benefits which exceed those which accrue from the use of a dielectric or a temperature sensor alone. For example, and without limitation, the use of dielectric data and temperature data together enables the system to more accurately differentiate between desiccated (“charred”) tissue, and non-tissue substances such as air, which can co-exist at similar temperatures at an operative site.

In addition, the present disclosure provides an electromagnetic surgical ablation system having a generator adapted to selectively provide surgical ablation energy to an ablation probe. The ablation probe is operably coupled to the generator and adapted to receive ablation energy therefrom, and to deliver said ablation energy to targeted tissue, e.g., a tumor, polyp, or necrotic lesion. The disclosed system includes a controller operatively coupled to the generator, the controller including at least one processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, a dielectric sensor circuit operatively coupled to the processor and adapted to receive a dielectric sensor signal from a tissue sensor probe, and a temperature sensor circuit operatively coupled to the processor and adapted to receive a temperature sensor signal from a tissue sensor probe. The electromagnetic surgical ablation system also includes a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller. The tissue sensor probe includes a dielectric sensor disposed at a distal end thereof configured to provide a dielectric sensor signal corresponding to a dielectric property of tissue. The tissue sensor probe further includes a temperature sensor disposed at a distal end thereof configured to provide a temperature sensor signal corresponding to a temperature of tissue.

Also disclosed is a method of operating an electromagnetic surgical ablation system. The disclosed method includes the steps of activating a source of electromagnetic surgical energy, sensing a tissue temperature, deactivating the source of electromagnetic surgical energy upon expiration of a predetermined period of time, a sensing at least one tissue dielectric property, e.g., a permittivity and/or a loss factor, determining a tissue status from at least one of the sensed tissue temperature and the at least one sensed tissue dielectric property, and activating the source of electromagnetic surgical energy in response to a determination that the tissue is not sufficiently ablated.

The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable medium storing a set of programmable instructions configured for being executed by at least one processor for performing a method of performing microwave tissue ablation in response to monitored tissue temperature and/or monitored tissue dielectric properties in accordance with the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a microwave ablation system having an electromagnetic surgical ablation probe and a tissue sensor probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a microwave ablation system having an electromagnetic surgical ablation probe and a tissue sensor probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tissue sensor probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of a tissue sensor probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of operation of microwave ablation system having a tissue sensing probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates a relationship between permittivity and temperature at an ablation frequency of 915 MHz in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B illustrates a relationship between permittivity and temperature at an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A illustrates a relationship between loss factor and temperature at an ablation frequency of 915 MHz in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7A illustrates a relationship between loss factor and temperature at an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, the term “proximal,” as is traditional, shall refer to the end of the instrument that is closer to the user, while the term “distal” shall refer to the end that is farther from the user.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a microwave ablation system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The microwave ablation system 10 includes an electromagnetic surgical ablation probe 100 having a tapered distal tip 120 and a feed point 122. The ablation probe 100 is operably connected by a cable 15 to connector 16, which may further operably connect probe 100 to a generator assembly 20. Generator assembly 20 may be a source of ablation energy, e.g., microwave or RF energy in the range of about 915 MHz to about 2.45 GHz. The disclosed system 10 includes a tissue sensor probe 200 that is adapted to sense at least one operative parameter, e.g., a tissue temperature and/or a tissue dielectric parameter, e.g., a relative permittivity, a dielectric constant, a dielectric loss factor and/or a conductivity. The tissue sensor probe 200 is operably connected by a cable 215 to connector 18, which may further operably connect tissue sensor probe 200 to a controller assembly 30. An actuator 40 is operably coupled to the controller to enable a user, e.g., a surgeon, to selectively activate and de-activate the delivery of ablation energy to patient tissue. Controller 30 is operably coupled to generator 20 to enable communication therebetween, such as without limitation, a control signal and/or a status signal.

In more detail, FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an ablation system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The system 10 includes a controller 30 that includes one or more processors 31 operatively coupled to memory 32, database 33, dielectric sensor circuit 34, and temperature sensor circuit 35. Processor(s) 31 may be configured to execute a set of programmed instructions for performing a method of microwave ablation as disclosed herein. Controller 30 includes actuator interface 36 that is adapted to facilitate operative coupling with actuator 40 and/or a generator interface 37 that is adapted to facilitate operative coupling with generator 20. Actuator 40 may be any suitable actuator, such as without limitation, a footswitch, a handswitch (which may be mounted on a probe 100 and/or a tissue sensor probe 200), an orally-activated switch (e.g., a bite-activated switch and/or a breath-actuated switch), and the like. The processor(s) 31, memory 32, database 33, dielectric sensor circuit 34, temperature sensor circuit 35, actuator interface 36 and/or generator interface 37 may be separate components or may be integrated, such as in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in the controller 30 may be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines 38. Memory 30 and/or database 33 may include a set of executable instructions for performing a method of microwave ablation as described herein. One or more elements of ablation system 10 may be coupled using hard-wired connections and/or a wireless link. During use, tissue sensor probe 200 may be positioned in tissue T in proximity to probe 100 to obtain at least one tissue parameter.

An embodiment of a tissue sensor probe 200 in accordance with the present disclosure is now described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Probe 200 includes an elongated generally cylindrical shaft 210 having a distal end 213 and a proximal end 216. Dielectric sensor 220 and/or temperature sensor 230 is disposed on a distal surface 211 of sensor shaft 210 to facilitate the measurement of at least one tissue parameter when probe 200 is in contact with tissue. The probe 200 includes one or more absorbent sleeves 214 disposed on the shaft 210 and adapted to attract and absorb moisture, e.g., steam and/or condensed water vapor, which may be released as a byproduct of an ablation procedure and collect on the probe shaft 210. In envisioned embodiments, absorbent sleeve(s) 214 may be slidably disposed on shaft 210 to enable the selective absorption of moisture, and/or to enable a surgeon to position sleeve 214 according to surgical requirements. Sleeve(s) 214 may be formed from any suitable biocompatible absorbent material, including without limitation paper-based material composed of virgin wood pulp that is obtained from certified forests.

Probe 200 includes a handle 212 positioned at a proximal end 216 of the probe 200. Handle 212 may include grip-enhancing features such as, without limitation, knurling, ridges, coatings (e.g., silicone-based or rubberized coating) disposed on at least a part of an outer surface of the handle 212. Probe 200 includes a cable 215 extending therefrom that is adapted to operably couple dielectric sensor 220 with dielectric sensor circuit 34, and/or to operably couple temperature sensor 230 with temperature sensor circuit 35. Shaft 210 of tissue sensor 200 may have any suitable length and/or diameter suitable for use in an ablation procedure. In embodiments, shaft 210 may have a length of about 10 cm to about 30 cm.

Dielectric sensor 220 includes a coaxial cable 206 disposed within the shaft 210. Coaxial cable 206 includes an inner conductor 201 coaxially disposed within an insulator 202, which, in turn, is coaxially disposed within an outer conductor 203. An insulating outer sheath 204 is coaxially disposed about outer conductor 203. A distal end 217 of coaxial cable 206 is positioned substantially flush with a distal end 211 of probe 200 and configured such that the inner conductor 201, insulator 202, outer conductor 203, or outer sheath 204 is exposed at a distal end thereof to facilitate contact with tissue. During use, dielectric sensor 220 and dielectric sensor circuit 34 are operatively coupled (by, e.g., coaxial cable 206 and/or cable 215) to enable controller 30 to determine a dielectric property of tissue, e.g., permittivity and/or loss factor, by any suitable manner of dielectric measurement, such as, without limitation, time domain reflectometry, broadband vector reflectometry, and/or scattering parameter (S-parameter) analysis techniques. In one embodiment, dielectric sensor circuit 34 may generate a microwave test signal that is transmitted through cable 215 and/or coaxial cable 206, to dielectric sensor 220, and to tissue, which, in turn, causes at least a portion of the transmitted test signal to be reflected back to dielectric sensor circuit 34 as a reflected test signal. Dielectric sensor circuit 34 is configured to detect an electrical property of the reflected test signal, e.g., a phase, an amplitude, and/or a frequency, and determine a dielectric tissue property therefrom, e.g., a permittivity and/or a loss factor. Dielectric sensor circuit 34 may perform a comparison between phase, amplitude, and/or frequency properties of a transmitted test signal and a reflected test signal.

Tissue sensor probe 200 includes a temperature sensor 230 disposed at a distal end 211 of the probe shaft 210. Temperature sensor 230 may include any suitable temperature-sensing transducer, including without limitation, a fluoroptic (e.g., fiber optic) sensor, a thermocouple, a thermistor, an infrared thermometer (e.g., emissive measurement), or other temperature sensor now or in the future known. Temperature sensor 230 is operatively coupled to temperature sensor circuit 35 via connection element 218, which may include electrical and/or fiber optic conductors. Temperature sensor circuit 35 is adapted to receive a temperature measurement signal from temperature sensor 230 to determine a tissue temperature, which, in turn, may be utilized by controller 30 and/or generator 20.

Since power levels required for ablation may exceed that required of a transmitted test signal and/or exhibited by a reflected test signal, the ablation signal may overload dielectric sensor circuit 34 or otherwise cause erroneous results. To reduce or eliminate the likelihood of interference between an ablation signal and a test signal, attention is directed to FIG. 5 which illustrates a method 300 for operating a microwave ablation system 10 wherein the system 10 includes a generator 20, controller 30, ablation probe 100, and tissue sensor probe 200.

The disclosed method begins in the step 301 wherein one or more initializations may be performed, e.g., power-on self test (POST), memory allocation, input/output (I/O) initialization, and the like. In the step 305 it is determined whether an activation signal is present, e.g., whether actuator 40 has been engaged by a user to cause delivery of ablation energy to tissue. If no activation signal is present, the process iterates until an activation signal is detected (e.g., the system enters a “wait state”). Upon receipt of an activation signal, the process continues with the step 310 wherein a cycle timer is initialized. The cycle timer may be a software or hardware-driven clock that is adapted to observe the time interval between measurements. During an ablation procedure, the ablation signal may periodically be interrupted upon expiration of a cycle time to enable a test signal to be applied to tissue to obtain a dielectric measurement. Because the ablation signal is suspended during the measurement window, a measurement may be obtained without interference from the ablation signal. A cycle time may range from about 10 msec to about 10 seconds. In an embodiment, cycle time may be about one second (e.g., a dielectric measurement is taken about once per second).

Having reset the cycle time, the procedure continues with the step 315 wherein an ablation generator, e.g., generator 20, is activated to deliver ablation energy to tissue via an ablation probe 100. In an embodiment, in the step 315 an ablation control signal may be generated by controller 30 and conveyed to ablation generator 20 via generator interface 37. In the step 320, a tissue temperature measurement T is obtained. In an embodiment, tissue temperature measurement T is obtained from temperature sensor 230 of tissue sensor probe 200. In the step 325, the cycle timer is evaluated to determine whether the cycle time has expired, e.g., whether it is time to perform a dielectric measurement. If the cycle timer has not expired, the step 330 is performed wherein a determination is made whether the activation signal is still present, e.g., the user is indicating by continued engagement of the actuator 40 that the ablation procedure is to proceed. If it is determined the activation signal is no longer present, the process concludes with the step 360. In an alternative embodiment, if in the step 330 it is determined the activation signal is no longer present, the process may iterate to the step 305 wherein a wait loop is entered.

If, in the step 325, it is determined the cycle time is expired, the step 335 is performed wherein the ablation generator is deactivated, thereby enabling at least one tissue dielectric measurement to be performed in the step 340. In an embodiment, a time delay or pause may be observed between the deactivation step 335 and the dielectric measurement step 340, which may improve or enhance the accuracy of the dielectric measurement. As shown in FIG. 5, a permittivity (e′) and/or a loss factor (e″) dielectric measurement may be performed, however, it in envisioned that one or more additional or alternative measurements may be performed in the step 340.

In step 345, a tissue temperature measurement, a tissue permittivity measurement e′, and a tissue loss factor e″ are utilized to determine a tissue status S. Tissue status S may be indicative of whether the sensed tissue has received insufficient, sufficient, and/or excessive ablation energy, e.g., whether the tissue is underablated (“undercooked”), ablated (“cooked”), or hyper-ablated (“charred”). Other tissue statuses are envisioned, for example without limitation a near-ablated (“pre-cooked”) status. In one embodiment, a lookup table (not explicitly shown) may be utilized to ascertain tissue status based upon on temperature, permittivity, and loss factor. A lookup table in accordance with the present disclosure may have a three-dimensional organization whereby a first table dimension is representative of tissue temperature, a second table dimension is representative of tissue permittivity, and a third table dimension is representative of tissue loss factor. In this manner, each of temperature, permittivity, and loss factor are thus utilized as indices into the three dimensional table to identify a particular tissue status corresponding thereto. In an embodiment, a lookup table may be included within database 33.

In step 350, a tissue status signal may be reported to a user via any suitable manner of communication, such as without limitation, an audible signal, a visual signal, a haptic (tactile) signal, and/or a combination thereof. By way of example only, an underablated status may be excluded from reporting, since this is routinely observed and expected during an initial phase of an ablation procedure. As tissue approaches ablated status, e.g., attains near-ablated status, a first tissue status signal, e.g., a short audible signal, may be issued to apprise a user accordingly. When tissue reaches ablated status, a second tissue status signal may be issued, e.g., a more urgent audible signal, alone or in combination with a visual signal. In embodiment, multiple tissue statuses may be utilized to convey a continuous indication of ablation progress. In this manner, a user may be assisted in the accurate and timely assessment of ablation progress, in real-time, during an ablation procedure.

A tissue status may be associated with a terminal condition whereby attainment of a terminal status indicates that the ablation procedure is complete and/or that delivery of ablation is to be terminated. In the step 355, a determination is made whether the currently-identified tissue status is a terminal status. If the current tissue status is not a terminal status, the process iterates with the step 305 whereupon presence of an activation signal is confirmed, and the ablation procedure continues as just described. Conversely, if a terminal status is reached, the ablation process concludes with the step 360.

It is to be understood that the steps of the method provided herein may be performed in combination and/or in a different order than presented herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Relationships between tissue permittivity and tissue temperature are illustrated in FIG. 6A, which depicts the relationships at an ablation frequency of 915 MHz, and FIG. 6B, which depicts the relationships at an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz. As shown in FIG. 6A, a series of test ablations yields a set of trend lines 402. The inventors have determined that an average 401 of trend lines 402 may be expressed as a quadratic relationship y=−0.0185x²−1.0137x+56.039, which yields a coefficient of determination (e.g., R²) of about 0.9661 for an ablation frequency of 915 MHz. With respect to FIG. 6B, an average 451 of trend lines 452 may be expressed as a quadratic relationship y=−0.0131x²−1.1106x+52.149, which yields an R² value of about 0.9673 for an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz.

Relationships between loss factor and tissue temperature are illustrated in 7A, which depicts the relationships at an ablation frequency of 915 MHz, and FIG. 7B, which depicts the relationships at an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz. As shown in FIG. 7A, a series of test ablations yields a set of trend lines 502. The inventors have determined that an average 501 of loss factor trend lines 502 may be expressed as a cubic relationship y=0.0026x³−0.1743x²+2.6247x+11.97, which yields an R2 of about 0.9446 for an ablation frequency of 915 MHz. With respect to FIG. 7B, an average 551 of trend lines 552 may be expressed as a cubic relationship y=0.0008x³−0.0549x²+0.5704x+12.282, which yields an R² value of about 0.9610 for an ablation frequency of 2.45 GHz.

During use, tissue sensor probe 200 is positioned at a boundary of the operative site that corresponds to an outer limit of the desired ablation region. As ablation energy is applied to targeted tissue (e.g., generator 20 is activated and ablation probe 100 is applied to the operative site), sensor probe 200 provides tissue parameters (e.g., temperature and dielectric properties) to controller 30. As the ablated region expands, controller 30 continues to monitor tissue status at the probed location. When a tissue terminal status is detected (e.g., tissue is “cooked”), controller 30 causes generator 20 to be deactivated, thus enabling a surgeon to perform a precisely-formed ablation, which may lead to improved operative outcomes, reduced operative and/or recovery times, and enhanced patient satisfaction. A distal end 213 of tissue sensor probe 200 may be generally positioned coincident with a plane radially extending transversely from feed point 122 of ablation probe 100.

Tissue sensor probe 200 may be positioned between an ablation region and an adjacent anatomical structure, which may be a critical structure to be protected from receipt of excessive ablation energy, increased temperature, and/or undesired denaturization which may occur as a side effect of an ablation procedure. In this instance, a tissue terminal status may reflect a threshold at which an ablation procedure is suspended in order to protect a critical structure from damage.

The described embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment of the present disclosure. Further variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be made or desirably combined into many other different systems or applications without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law. The claims can encompass embodiments in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. 

1. An ablation system, comprising: a generator adapted to selectively provide ablation energy to an ablation probe; an ablation probe operably coupled to the generator and adapted to receive the ablation energy from the generator and to deliver the ablation energy to tissue; a controller operatively coupled to the generator, including: a processor; a memory operatively coupled to the processor; a tissue sensor probe operatively coupled to the controller and having a distal end and a proximal end, including: a dielectric sensor disposed at a distal end of the tissue sensor probe and configured to provide a dielectric sensor signal corresponding to a dielectric property of tissue; a temperature sensor disposed at a distal end of the tissue sensor probe and configured to provide a temperature sensor signal corresponding to a temperature of tissue; wherein a dielectric sensor circuit is operatively coupled to the processor and is adapted to receive the dielectric sensor signal from the tissue sensor probe; and a temperature sensor circuit is operatively coupled to the processor and is adapted to receive the temperature sensor signal from a tissue sensor probe.
 2. The ablation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dielectric sensor includes at least one of a time domain reflectometry dielectric sensor, a broadband vector reflectometry dielectric sensor, or a scattering parameter analysis dielectric sensor.
 3. The ablation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor includes at least one of a fluoroptic temperature sensor, a thermocouple, a thermistor, or an infrared thermometer.
 4. The ablation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tissue sensor probe includes an absorbent sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the tissue sensor probe.
 5. The ablation system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tissue sensor probe includes a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tissue sensor probe.
 6. The ablation system in accordance with claim 5, wherein the handle includes a grip-enhancing feature.
 7. The ablation system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the controller and configured to selectively activate the generator.
 8. The ablation system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the actuator is selected from a group consisting of a handswitch, a footswitch, and an orally-activated switch.
 9. A method of operating an ablation system, comprising the steps of: activating a source of ablation energy; sensing a tissue temperature; deactivating the source of electromagnetic surgical energy upon expiration of a predetermined period of time; sensing at least one tissue dielectric property; determining a tissue status from at least one of the sensed tissue temperature and the at least one sensed tissue dielectric property; and activating the source of ablation energy in response to a determined tissue status indicative of incomplete tissue ablation.
 10. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the at least one sensed tissue dielectric property is selected from the group consisting of permittivity and loss factor.
 11. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising resetting a cycle timer.
 12. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the activating step is performed at least on part in response to an activation signal received from an actuator.
 13. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the predetermined period of time is in a range of about 10 milliseconds to about ten seconds.
 14. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the predetermined period of time is about one second.
 15. The method of operating an ablation system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the sensing a tissue temperature step and the sensing at least one tissue dielectric property step are performed substantially concurrently.
 16. A tissue sensor probe for use during an ablation procedure, comprising: an elongated cylindrical shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, a dielectric sensor disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to provide a dielectric sensor signal corresponding to a dielectric property of tissue; and a temperature sensor disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to provide a temperature sensor signal corresponding to a temperature of tissue.
 17. The tissue sensor probe in accordance with claim 16, wherein the dielectric sensor includes at least one of a time domain reflectometry dielectric sensor, a broadband vector reflectometry dielectric sensor, or a scattering parameter analysis dielectric sensor.
 18. The tissue sensor probe in accordance with claim 16, wherein the temperature sensor includes at least one of a fluoroptic temperature sensor, a thermocouple, a thermistor, or an infrared thermometer.
 19. The tissue sensor probe in accordance with claim 16, wherein the tissue sensor probe includes an absorbent sleeve disposed on an outer surface of the shaft.
 20. The tissue sensor probe in accordance with claim 16, wherein the tissue sensor probe includes a handle disposed at a proximal end of the shaft. 